This was it, High School, my home away from home for the next five years. The time is 06:50 am and it seems not everyone comes to school this early. The gate is closed. Nope, the lock has been undone. Sliding the bolt up I pushed the gate open. To my left I spotted the security guard dozing off through his window. A few of the teachers were either early birds or night owls, as I spotted four cars and a motorbike parked.
Passed the parking lot, under the archway and to my left was the Administration Block and behind it the VERY spacious library. To my right, the Front Reception area and attached to the Assembly Hall. And passed it was the large Amphitheater, said to be used by the Drama Club? Passed the admin block was the teachers offices and their break-room. Now, yesterday during orientation a prefect had mentioned an outdoor reading space. The library's yard had walls without gates making it easy for me to slip in and make my way to the reading corner.
This would be my new home. The corner was isolated with a wall low enough to allow the mornings sun to paint the library's frosted-glass doors. Low wall had another advantage as it separated me from the nearby classrooms
My blazer soon followed my backpack onto the low table before me. The summer heat has already produced a sheen of light sweat on my forehead. As I sat down, the footsteps of fellow students could be heard along with their animated conversations. I could feel my stomach begin to churn in anxiety for my first day of high school. With only a watch to check for time I began to busy myself with wild imagination of how this day would turn out.
I had made two friends so the possibility of having no one to talk to was avoided. The bell would ring at 7:45am and we would have the first assembly at 8:30am. There would be no class for today just course orientations.
From my backpack I pulled out an energy bar; oats, dried fruits and coated them in dark chocolate. As the first bite found refuge in my mouth the sound of walking soon sounded on the gravel stone covering the corner's space. Swallowing too quickly I choked and coaching followed, I reached for my water bottle, another storm of coaching ensued.
Argh!! Why at this moment this so embarrassing.
"Here," My eyes closed I reached forward barely holding on as I began wheezing for dear life. Whoever was next to me cursed and perhaps seeing my reaction proceeded to sit next to me and unbutton my shirt with shaking hands. My eyes finally opened to see who it was.
FUDGE! FUDGE! FUDGE!
Never had I seen such a person before. Maybe I had no right to judge his appearance seeing as I was chocking myself to death. Breathe taking was one way of putting it seeing as he felt uncomfortable with me too. With acne that bad who wouldn't be uncomfortable? His right hand held a water bottle and helped me drink, finally my couching eased up. Lifting my wrist the time was now 7:18am. He moved away, closing the lid on HIS bottle.
On the table mine stood open and unused. Taking a few deep breathes I steadied my lungs and buttoned my open shirt. Turning to thank him for his help, the young man now leaning back on the chair was lost in his thoughts, drinking water from the bottle he had just lent me.
Ignoring the impulsive thoughts threatened to escape and embarrass me further, "Thanks for the help. Next time I'll treat you to a new water bottle?"
"No need-"
TRIRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!
With the bell ringing and the conversation I had previously drowned out suddenly seemed loud. Closing my bottle, I tucked it into the schoolbag's side pocket. The familiar nervousness returning. Folding my blazer and holding it in one hand while the other lifted the bags strap and hung by my left shoulder before switching hands and soon it securely settled on my back.
7:32am, Well it's definitely not 7:45 am now is it.
Walking to the entrance of library I caught up with my mystery savior. He looked back then as he must have heard me approaching. With a small smile he introduced himself, "Names' Lin L****, yours."
I won't remember it for long though.
Hi, my name's Samkelo Anneliese, nice to meet you."